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Veterans & Military Families

World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial was dedicated on April 29, 2004 to honor the 16 million veterans who fought during the war. During World War II, Dole served under the Tenth Mountain Division in Italy as a platoon leader. He sustained severe injuries that left his right arm paralyzed throughout his life.

Dole led the WWII Memorial Commission as National Chairman. As a decorated veteran, he shared the belief that there should be a national memorial to honor the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home.

Dole helped raise more than $197 million in cash and pledges. Construction began in September 2001 and was completed in April 2004. At the dedication ceremony, Dole spoke about the importance of remembering the sacrifices that were made and the importance of democracy:

“It is only fitting when this memorial was opened to the public about a month ago, the very first visitors were school children. For them, our war is ancient history and those who fought it are slightly ancient themselves. Yet, in the end, they are the ones for whom we built this shrine and to whom we now hand the baton in the unending relay of human possibility.”

Wounded Warriors Commission

On the morning of March 6, 2007, Senator Dole and Secretary Donna Shalala were appointed to the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. The commission was challenged with investigating the challenges faced by returning veterans.

In a statement following the announcement of his appointment, Dole said the purpose of the commission was “to make certain that those young men and women who served are properly cared for when they come home and that they are properly transitioned after their care is completed.”

Dole’s appointment was made in recognition of his personal commitment and concern for the unique challenges faced by convalescing service men and women. As a soldier in World War II, Dole was severely injured and spent more than two years recovering from injuries he sustained on the battle field.

Dole’s background, coupled with his stature in Washington D.C., qualified him to investigate reports of abuse and neglect of veterans at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Dole responded to the allegation of abuse saying, “It is not fair. It’s not fair to the families; it’s obviously not fair to the veterans. Our charge is to see if we can come up with some ideas that might correct that.”

After intensive study across the country, the commission offered their findings and recommendations to Congress on September 19, 2007. Dole has continued his work on behalf of the Wounded Warriors Commission by helping veterans navigate the adjustment back to civilian lives.

Honor Flights

Senator Dole has long been a committed advocate for veterans and their families. As Honorary Advisor of the Honor Flight Network (HFN), Dole works closely with the honor flight program to ensure that American veterans are provided with the opportunity to visit the World War II memorial in the nation’s capitol free of any personal cost to the veterans.

Dole spends some Saturdays at the World War II Memorial greeting veterans, swapping stories about their service and posing for pictures. “Mr. Dole was like a rock star. They gathered around to shake hands, to have their pictures taken with him, to crack a joke about their ages,” said Gerald F. Seib of the Wall Street Journal.

This successful program was created by Earle Morse, a Retired Air Force Captain and physicians assistant. Morse worked in a Springfield, Ohio clinic run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Morse noticed that veterans were not making the trip to see the Memorial dedicated to commemorating their service. Determined to do something about this, he began personally flying veterans to the capital. The program expanded to include a volunteer program to fly veterans to their memorial.

According to the HFN’s website, by the end of the 2011 flying season, they will have transported more than 81,000 veterans of World War II to see the memorial built to honor their suffering and sacrifice.

“I truly felt like a hero for a day.” – Statement in letter to Dole from an Ohio
World War II veteran

American Legion’s Distinguished Service Medal

In March 1997, Senator Dole was awarded The American Legion’s Distinguished Service Medal with National Commander Joseph J. Frank calling him “an avid and ardent supporter of America’s veterans.”

Defense Department’s Distinguished Public Service Award

In April 1998, Senator Dole was awarded the Defense Department’s Distinguished Public Service Award in appreciation of his military service and his public service, particularly his work on behalf of disabled veterans and missing persons.

Honored for Contributions to the National World War II Memorial

In 2011, Senator Dole was honored for his lifelong support of veterans and his instrumental role in establishing the World War II Memorial. The plaque dedication ceremony was emceed by Tom Brokaw.